It's been said that RA affects our teeth. I have been in conversations with other autoimmune patients regarding our teeth going to shit after beginning the journey of living with RA and other autoimmune diseases. Yes, it has been my experience, my teeth have indeed gone to shit since I began treatment for my RA and Fibromyalgia. I've lost three teeth entirely - reducing my chewing capacity to 75% of the average person's ability.
After my oral surgery in November my teeth were looking good. No more decay was seen on x-rays or by exam. Given my decent diet and dental hygiene habits it was nice to finally have a good report. Now, less then 6 months later I have another tooth that is decayed all the way through, down to the bone. That's how I lost one tooth just 6 months ago.
It is absolutely crazy to me, that in less then 6 months I have another tooth go from healthy to being very decayed. Along with that new 'bad tooth', two more cavities were found. All of which I did not have 6 months ago.
I've been on oral steroids the entire time, which I know historically got me to the diagnosis of osteoprina (a pre-osteoporosis diagnosis.) I had an informative conversation with my dentist. I learned that it's not having RA or other diseases that cause teeth to go to shit, but rather side effects from medications used to treat the diseases.
Chemo and prednisone in particular are bad ones. Two of which I've spent a good deal of time taking. They almost all give people, and me a dry mouth. Saliva protects teeth. Lack of saliva compounded with the demineralization and porous state of bones from steroids cause the teeth of people with RA and other autoimmune diseases to go to shit!
RA is not directly to blame - rather indirectly to blame. I'm happy I now know the difference:)
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